Cleveland City School Board meeting recap

The Cleveland City School Board met yesterday. 

The board celebrated several student achievements and community initiatives. A major highlight was the announcement of Cleveland High School’s impressive 94.4% graduation rate for the 2023-2024 school year, which exceeds the state average across all demographics. Currently, Tennessee's statewide average graduation rate is 92.1%. Cleveland City Schools also outperformed the state average graduation rates for Black, Hispanic, Native American, economically disadvantaged, and disabled students. The Director of Schools, Dr. Jeff Elliott stated the achievement reflects the dedication of students, staff, and families in the district.

The board also discussed several initiatives to strengthen community bonds, including a new monthly event called “Blue on the Green.” This gathering aims to foster connections among Cleveland City Schools staff, with December’s event featuring Santa Claus, inviting families to join in the holiday festivities. The event will be held on the Cleveland Greenway. 

In terms of long-term planning, the board announced upcoming public input sessions at Blythe-Bower Elementary and Cleveland High School next week. These sessions will provide community members with an opportunity to help shape the district's priorities over the next five years.

Additionally, a new food drive partnership with Coca-Cola and United Way was unveiled to support a family resource food market launching in the spring. This initiative aims to assist students and families in need.

In the facilities update, school officials reported on a long-term plan aimed at accommodating projected enrollment growth. The focus is on constructing a fifth and sixth-grade intermediate school, with a target completion date of 2028, pending the collaboration and approval of the Cleveland City Council. Dr. Jeff Elliot emphasized the importance of continued communication with council members to secure the necessary resources.